Just bought a 76 Trans Am 455 4 speed. This car was less than 1/4 mile away from me tucked away in a barn for a long time. Original Canadian car sold new here in Ingersoll. The original owner passed away in December. He left it in his will to a real nice young guy, his neighbor who realized he can't afford to devote the time & money to restore it right now. I seen the farm go for auction last weekend, but the car was already moved out of the barn. Many people had tried to buy the car for years, but the owner refused to sell, and left it in a barn that was in rough shape and must have been damp. It has rust, but I hope I can save it! He ordered the car with a 455, 4 speed, posi, A/C but no power windows or console. I never knew the car was there and I pass by the house at least twice a day! All you guys who say the old cars are all gone, keep lookin they are still out there.
Feel free to contact me about this car if you need help etc. My counterman at the GM dealership where I work has a nice 76 455 speed air car. He is big on these cars.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I think I know which barn that came out of! Was that the big farm auction last weekend on Hamilton road? I was going to stop in but didn't have time. Good score! Todd
There were 46,701 1976 Trans Ams built in 1976 which was 42 % of the total Firebird production of 110,775. The 455-200 horsepower engine was an option but not available in California and was the last year available in firebirds. T-Roofs were available for the first time with only 643 built as Limited Edition to celebrate Pontiac's 50 Anniversary. Good luck with the car and I hope you restore it to original.
I think I know which barn that came out of! Was that the big farm auction last weekend on Hamilton road? I was going to stop in but didn't have time. Good score! Todd
That's right Todd! The car was already moved out of the barn a few days before. The car was bought new at Cochrane Pontiac Buick in Ingersoll (at least I think Gary Cochrane owned it back then) You may remember the car from around town, but it has been off the road for 20 years or so. The barn it was in leaked, so thats why it's got rust. It runs with a gas can but needs a lot of work. Has anyone had any experience with PHS for documents? They can't find the original paperwork and the farmhouse is now sold.
I've done PHS, but if this is a Canadian car you should be contacting Vintage Vehicle Services at GM Canada. I think if you google it as such, you will find the contact info. George Zappora I think is the guy who will help you there, and the give great documentation. I did a Canadian 74 Super Duty 455 Trans Am through there a few years ago, and it is an excellent bit of information you get back from them.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Thanks Carl. I forgot the name of vintage vehicles. I'm going to call them tomorrow. They helped me out before on a Cadillac I have. There is lots of stuff sitting around here in barns & garages. I got to take a 71 SS 454 Chevelle out for a spin today in London. Long time owner is a friend who is considering selling it. It was very nostalgic for me as I've had a few SS Chevys over the years. I think there will be some real bargains as the U.S. economy slows down and money gets tighter,gas goes up, wives want new toys and the garage back!
Way to go, nice car. That's a fairly rare bird you found an to be only the second owner is great luck. I agree you should contact GM of Canada Vintage Vehicle Services as 1-888-467-6853 and give them the VIN number and see what they can tell you about this car.
Glad to hear that someone like yourself found the car and has plans to let her "roam the streets again".
__________________
Dave Weir
Member #1
Canadian Classic Chevelles & Beaumonts
http://cdnclassics.chevelles.net/
Way to go, nice car. That's a fairly rare bird you found an to be only the second owner is great luck. I agree you should contact GM of Canada Vintage Vehicle Services as 1-888-467-6853 and give them the VIN number and see what they can tell you about this car.
Glad to hear that someone like yourself found the car and has plans to let her "roam the streets again".
Thanks. I called VintageServices today and got the forms e-mailed to me to get the package sent next week. I'm currently trying to finish up a Z28 (1980) for summer and just had my Allante' touched up to put on the market. One's gotta go to start pouring money into the next!
i have a set of powdercoated ralleye rims with bf goodrich radial ta,s on them if your interested, you can see them on my car right now but im changing to the steelies so i dont need them any more. I was thinkin $400 obo. Only a couple hundred k,s on the tires from my brothers trans am. Nice score by the way. My brother and i are both second owners of our trans ams also.
Got my documents from Vintage Vehicle today. Confirmed it was built and shipped to Cochrane Pontiac Buick here in Ingersoll on March 23 1976. Still has all the original equipment except the radio. It's a Canadian Tire "Pulsar" model that still lights up. Looks like water in the oil. Going to drain this weekend and get it it started. I'm hoping it's not cracked! That would be a bummer, as even the carb, starter, and waterpump are original #'s. This thing even has the original GM tailpipes. Too bad it's rusty. Breakdown according to Vintage Services; Number imported in to Canada= 4,641 L75/455=1,153 Close ratio M/21 4 speed=1,971 Code 11 Cameo White= 960
Oh yeah by the way I forgot to ask Todd or anyone else close to Ingersoll if they know where there is a 455 engine for sale. I'm thinking of doing one up for better performance. Maybe 74 & older? I'm going to post in the wanted section. Thanks
Was talking to a guy on Monday night at Thornhill cruise who has a complete 1974 Grand Prix SJ for sale, it is his Mom's daily driver. All SJ's were top HP 455's in those days, probably a good year to consider for a good buildup. I don't know him well but can get in touch .
Was talking to a guy on Monday night at Thornhill cruise who has a complete 1974 Grand Prix SJ for sale, it is his Mom's daily driver. All SJ's were top HP 455's in those days, probably a good year to consider for a good buildup. I don't know him well but can get in touch .
I would really appreciate that if you could get a hold of him and forward my e-mail or get back to me with a price. Thanks. Earl L
Yes Carl I'm sure there is some available, but just not in my price range. I just was out cranking it over and it looks like bad news! The dipstick is almost to the top with milky oil. Maybe i'll get lucky and just need head gaskets. That way I can rebuild it. I've checked out a few websites,etc. and haven't found anything close to me yet. Hopefully 73SC's contact will work out.
I will PM you once I get the info, may be next Monday night. Your engine may not be ruined, our Crane forklift truck sat all winter from October to May and the oil was really milky when it got drained the other day. Sent it to the shop and they tested it for cracked block but it was fine, just needed head gasket job.
that would be nice! I saw that happen in '69 with a Nova 396-375 headgaskets fixed it up, and then it danced with a hydro pole.. apparently the driver had too much beer and it made his brain "milky"
Whatever you do, do NOT throw out that block even if it is determined to be cracked. With the prices headed the way they are on these cars. it may get to the point that the numbers matching block may still have value.
And why not build a different 455 for it anyway and have some fun with it? Beats blowing up the original engine!
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Made the appropriate inquiries. The 74 Grand Prix is not a motor donor car and even if he was it would be an expensive motor. I was not aware that it is a solid US numbers matching SJ with 250 HP, driven daily, fully loaded with ice A/C, that goes like stink, 74,000 original miles with one previous owner. I apologize if I got your hopes up.
